The Best Live Psychedelic Rock Concert Films

Here are the best live psychedelic rock concert films that any fan of the genre must see.

Woodstock (1969)

Arguably the most famous concert film of all time, Woodstock was directed by Michael Wadleigh and grossed over $50 million at the box office. The film documents the now-legendary 1969 music festival that featured some of the biggest names in rock music, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Santana.

Gimme Shelter (1970)

Gimme Shelter is a 1970 documentary film directed by Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin chronicling the last weeks of The Rolling Stones’ 1969 US Tour which culminated in the disastrous free concert at the Altamont Speedway in northern California on December 6, 1969. The film features footage of the Stones rehearsing and performing live, as well as interviews with members of the band and their entourage.

The film culminates with the infamous Altamont concert, where a fatal stabbing occurred during the Stones’ set. The event was later termed “the day the Sixties died”.

Gimme Shelter was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release and is now considered one of the greatest music documentaries of all time. It is included on several lists of the best documentary films, including Sight & Sound’s poll of international critics in 2012, where it was ranked #48.

The Song Remains the Same (1976)

The Song Remains the Same is a live album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in October 1976. The album’s cast included four members of Led Zeppelin: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones; plus Peter Grant and Richard Cole.

Recorded during the band’s 1973 concert tour of the United States, The Song Remains the Same features performances of seven songs, including “Stairway to Heaven” and “Moby Dick”.

Pink Floyd: Pulse (1995)

Pink Floyd: Pulse is a live album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 29 May 1995 by EMI in the United Kingdom and on 6 June 1995 by Columbia in the United States. The album was recorded during the band’s Division Bell Tour in 1994, which saw them play to over five million people in 68 cities worldwide.

The album contains three discs, two of which are CDs of live performances from Earl’s Court, London on 20 October 1994, while the third disc is a DVD of live footage from various concerts during the tour, as well as interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

Pulse was a critical and commercial success upon its release, reaching number one in the UK and number two in the US. It was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and went on to sell over eight million copies worldwide.

Phish: Bittersweet Motel (2000)

This documentary captures the Vermont-based jam band Phish at the height of their powers. It follows the band on their 1997 summer tour, which saw them play to packed stadiums and arenas across the country. The film gives an intimate look at the band members both on and off stage, and includes performances of some of their most beloved songs.

Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Live from the Beacon Theatre (2003)

This 2003 concert film captures a star-studded lineup of blues legends performing at New York’s Beacon Theatre. B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Hubert Sumlin, James Cotton, Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger are just some of the music icons who take the stage to deliver awe-inspiring performances. The film also features interviews with Scorsese and the musicians themselves, offering insight into the history and importance of the blues.

Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006)

Neil Young: Heart of Gold is a 2006 documentary concert film by Jonathan Demme, featuring Neil Young performing several songs from his then-new album Prairie Wind. The film was shot on August 18, 2005 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

The film was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2006, and released in select theaters on February 2, 2007. The DVD was released on May 1, 2007. The film won the Silver Bear for Best Documentary at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival.

Arcade Fire: Miroir Noir (2007)

Arcade Fire: Miroir Noir is a 2007 concert film by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. It was directed by Vincent Morisset and released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 18, 2008. The film documents the band’s 2006 world tour in support of their album Neon Bible.

The title of the film is a reference to the French phrase “miroir noir”, which means “black mirror”. It is also the name of a song from Neon Bible.

LCD Soundsystem: Shut Up and Play the Hits (2011)

Documentary following LCD Soundsystem’s last show in 2011 at Madison Square Garden, prior to their disbanding. The film features live footage of the concert as well as interviews with band members and others close to them.

Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways (2014)

Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways is a 2014 concert film directed by Dave Grohl and written by Mark Monroe. The film documents the eight-city recording odyssey of Foo Fighters’ eighth studio album, Sonic Highways.

The film was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Film at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.